23rd Annual ABC 7 Gibbons 5K

The 23rd annual Jim Gibbons run for Leukemia Research was held Thursday. (WLS)

WLS

Thursday, June 15, 2017

CHICAGO (NEWS RELEASE) (WLS) --

On your mark, get set, GO! It's once again time to join in the fight to end blood cancers at the 23rd Annual ABC 7 Gibbons 5K Run & 3K Walk, in memory of ABC 7's late investigative reporter, Jim Gibbons. Joining ABC 7 Entertainment reporter and 190 co-host Janet Davies for the first time as Co-chair of this event, will be Sports Anchor and avid runner, Dionne Miller.

They'll kick the race off, live, on ABC 7 Eyewitness News at 6 pm co-anchored by Alan Krashesky and Kathy Brock, on Thursday, June 15. More than 2,000 Chicago runners, walkers and survivors will participate in the race at Grant Park in an effort to move one step closer to a cure for Leukemia and other blood cancers. All proceeds will go to the Leukemia Research Foundation.

On your mark, get set, GO! It's once again time to join in the fight to end blood cancers at the 23rd Annual ABC 7 Gibbons 5K Run & 3K Walk.

Blood cancers represent the fourth most common form of cancer. Nearly 1.3 million nationwide are currently living with a blood cancer diagnosis including more than 32,000 in the Chicago area. Interested runners and walker still have the opportunity to register on site. The site opens at 4:30 pm with registration and gear check.

Every year Davies co-chairs this event to honor the memory of friend and colleague Jim Gibbons, a 25-year investigative reporter for ABC 7, who lost the battle to leukemia in 1994.

The run/walk has grown tremendously in helping to pursue the goals and dreams of the Leukemia Research Foundation dedicated to funding research into the causes and cures of all blood cancers. Since then the event has helped fund research that has led to an increase in the 5-year survival rate from 41% to nearly 71% today.

John Idler, President & General Manager, ABC 7 Chicago said, "This is an important annual event that has special significance for us. For more than two decades, the race has honored the memory of long-time ABC 7 Eyewitness News reporter, Jim Gibbons, by helping to fund research and enhance the quality of life of those affected by blood cancers."

"The ABC7 Gibbons 5K Run & 3K Walk is a pioneer summer event in Chicago having raised more than $1.3 million in net revenue over 23 years," said Kevin Radelet, Executive Director of the Leukemia Research Foundation. "Every year, nearly 2,000 runners and walkers, including dozens of blood cancer survivors, descend on beautiful Grant Park to support medical research to help discover the causes and cures for leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood cancers. And tremendous progress is being made."

About The Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF)

The Leukemia Research Foundation established here in Chicago in 1946, was aimed to help bring awareness in understanding the causes and finding cures of the blood cancers. TheFoundation headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, is not only dedicated in funding research but also in providing financial, educational and emotional support to people affected by the blood cancers.

For over 70 years, thousands of volunteers and 24 volunteer chapters have come together to help raise more than $70 million for research. The Foundation's mission is dedicated to conquering all blood cancers by funding research into their causes and cures, and enriching the quality of life of those touched by these diseases.